The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-04

fha three hundred and twenty-five members of
House. it is safe to say that less than TWEEN
iv-fva could explain the merits of the contro-
verse Yet the subject is a very simple one
There has always been dispute between this
country and Canada over the question of Juris-
diction certain andlocked bays and cuffs
along the Canadian coast. Canada has held
that under the treaty of 1918, which ID the only
convention now IN torce between Z ne Two coon-
tries the vessels of the Z nted States have no
right in any of the bays. The United States, on
The other hand, argues that the u Dominion gov
eminent has jurisdiction over the waters of
ihe bays which more than six miles in width
across their mouths BY the III treaty
Countries were '' for the time being
vetted, and practical reciprocity between
Canada and the United States was established.
But owing to the attitude of the Canadians, as
well as the English, towards the United States
during the civil war. strong sentiment was
created in this country against our neighbors,
and it was an easy matter for the opponents of
reciprocity to secure the abrogation OF the
treaty. This action created great deal of
dissatisfaction among the cisss most directly
interested in the fisheries. and IL was not long
before another attempt made to induce
President Grant to enter into negotiations with
the British authorities for a renewal of the
commercial relations with the Dominion. Grant
was firm believer in the policy OF protection,
and he feared that reciprocity treaty would
produce more harm in this country than good at
that time In consequence he declined to
negotiate. But in 1871 Joint high commits
SION met in this city and negotiated conven-
ton which provided that there should be
reciprocity as far as the fisheries were concerned
It was stipulated that the United States should
pay to Canada such sum as might De deemed
nroper compensation for the rights which
Canada was to concede The sum fixed upon
s5 500 OOO and everyb body thought that Canada
received the better part of the bargain. The
award was paid by this country. and at the
earliest possible moment the United States
notified her Maiesty's government that it
was desirable that the treaty should be
abropated This was done in pursuance to the
instructions of Congress in 1885, and since that
time the treaty of 1918 has been the only law
upon which the American fisherman along the
Eastern coast could base their actions in Cana
dian waters. Canada wants a renewal of the
treaty of 1854 if that can be secured. Ii that is
out of the question. the advantages which were
enioyed under the Increment OF 1871 would
prove acceptable. Since the abrogation of the
treaty OF Washington the fishermen of the
United States have been denied, not only the
right TO fish in the waters of the Canadian bays
and inlets but besides the commercial ports of
Canada have been closed to them for all pur-
poses, ard they have not been allowed to pur-
chase bait supplies in any OF them. In other
words tie Canadians have adopted policy to-
wards the United States which would have been
tolerated BY no other nation on the globe Their
object was. undoubtedly, to secure concession
from the United States by force. But Congress
thought of a different plan by which to bring
them to their senses and, at the suggestion Of
Senator Edmun6s, bill was passed which gives
the President the power to declare an embargo
against all Canadian products, of whatever name
or nature when in his Judgment it may appear
for the best interests of the country to do
Fortunately, the past season has not been
by the Dominion authorities upon American
fishermen, and il has not yet been deemed for
1.-THE best interests of the country" 70 enforce
the law.
Now that the negotiators are in session in
Washington, it is likely that there will be some
convention prepared for the action OF the Sem
ate, which may may not ratifv it, which will
settle the question at issue. It Is certain that
both sides will have to make large concessions il
any easement is to De reached Inc United .ss.
Canada renounce her right to control the
waters within the bays along Der coasts
so long as this country insists upoa the right to
absolute control of the waters OF Behring's sea.
Neither VS. insist upon the position taken by
Secretary Bayard. that the right to fish in Cana
dian waters is inherent in Americans, because
orr forefathers allowed to fish wherever
+.iey pleased without molestation. It is said
,nc generally believed that the Americans on
rho commission have proposed that treaty of
reciprocity in commerce be the basis of the
{ agreement between the two countries Sir
Charles Tuoper the Canadian member is known
4 o I've in favor of reciprocity, but Joseph Cham
beslain and Mr.. Wese the other two members
of the commission, said to fear that a reci-
procity treaty would be injurious to the COM
1nerce of England it would be beneficial to
that of the United States and Canada. For
this reason it is extremely doubtful II an agree
ment can be reached uDon this basis. Although
General Grant opposed the idea OF commercial
reciprocity treaty between the United States and
Canada, the idea now meets with much favor.
The reason is that Can ada has adopted policy
Of protection which, in the event of the ratifca-
ton of a reciprocity treaty. would give the
United States big advantage in the Dominion
markets.
Canadian Paper Constructs a Fable.
Toronto Globe.
Once upon time the Lion, on condition that
his suzeraintY should be recognized. gave an ex-
eellent fsh-pond to the Beaver, and promised
soemnly to protect that industrious animal in
the property. The Eagle, having healthy APP
petite for fish, and having exhausted the ponds
of his own domain, insisted that he had inhe-
rent right to poach n the Beavers waters At
this the Beaver erected his back and slapped his
tail in righteous indignation, whereupon the
Eeele appealed to the Lion.
81 only wanted his fish," screamed the
arch of the air, 'and he has the audacity to de-
fend theml Here's pretty treatment for Bird
the Forest for somsEears past To be braved
by an amphibious quadruped that could cata-
wampousiy and everlastinely ehaw. up
in two ,6.. shakes lonSs ;. quad,ruped
ton! Things hev got to be fixed they hevl I
guess l could make it mighty unpleasant for
fowl, am, and never want TO take anything by
force that can get with less trouble"
At that time the Lion was watching anxiously
the proceedings of the Bear, the Cock, and other
ferocious creatures.
Let us neeotate." said he, and the Eagle
answered: We'll. I'm good natured bird. and
Negotiate protested the Beaver seWhat
about About my fish? Let him keep away
from my pOnd. ana therein De no trouble. Don't
You see, o Lionl that if you negotiate about
nothing but his poaching on my water you sort
of admit that hes got some kind of claim"
Never mind him; he's only an ambitious
ANIMAL" screamed the Eagle
81 can't afford to have row with the Eagle
just now" answered the Lion, and the negotia-
tions began.
II gave that pond to the Beaver said the
Lion, land he's been faithful to my interests
ever since"
But sakes alive.7 said the Eagle, ..you and I,
monarchs of earth and air-descended. accord
ing to the Darwinian theory. from the same
protopasm-aren't going to fight about a kettle
of fish"
at would be extremely sad observed the
Lion.
Whats Beaver, anyhow7n asked the Eagle
contemptuously.
'True, trne. didn't think of that before" re-
piled his majesty. while we are about i. sup
rose you skin him." And thus they became the
best of friends